Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Restaurant Seating - Booth versus Table


I am not sure that this is something that others give much thought to, but there have been many friendly arguments amongst my dining compadres about the choice between a booth versus a table. If you have been reading the blog, you know that there are a few of us guys that go out to lunch on a daily basis and I try to write about our experiences. My buddies are all from my office, so we end up going to restaurants somewhat near our office. We haven't really hit any new places recently, so I don't have anything new to report in the area of actual restaurant dining experiences. So I thought it would be good to give you my thoughts on the challenge of making a seating choice once you are asked the question, "Would you like a booth or a table?"

My buddy Nick likes the booth. I am not really sure what John likes as he will do whatever we choose, but I suspect he is with me and likes the table option better. Now I am not totally against sitting in a booth, but it totally depends on the size of the group and the sex of the diners at that particular time. In my book, females as part of the group make a booth choice as fine, but all males should sit at a table if there are more than four guys. It is just a matter of spacing.

One of the main things I hate to see is a guy and a girl in a booth both sitting on the same side. C'mon dude, we know you love your woman, but sit on the other side of the booth and face her. This provides for the perfect opportunity to speak to her and look her in the eyes. I don't even mind if you hold her hands across the table, but sitting beside her in a booth with nobody on the othee side makes you look needy and controlling. I doubt she likes the option of you sitting right beside her versus sitting across from her. You see this move most often at Denny's late at night after a night of drinking and can be sure that there is action going on underneath the table. It's a cheap move at best.

When there are a number of us going for lunch, we are often taken to a booth and I am the first one to say, "Can we get a table?" Six big guys in a booth is not a good thing. There is no room for the guys to manuver and get their elbows going to eat their food. Additionally, if you ever see six guys in a booth, take a good look at the guys located in the middle of the seating pattern. The guys in the middle all look like little bitches. Whats more, take a look at the poor guys on the far inside. You know what they look like? They look like the bitch's bitch. It is embarassing. Nobody should be put in that situation. If six guys come in for a meal, the server should automatically know that they are going to want to sit at a table. Everyone has enough room to manuver and eat their food without being crowded.

These seating options are particularly important depending upon the type of restaurant you are visiting. If you go to Pizzeria Uno and have the pizza and soup combo, it is a pain in the ass to have to ask people to move to let you out to go get more soup. I feel it is incumbent upon the person seating their guests to be cognizant of these seating dynamics. A group of three should also be given the opportunity to sit at a table over a booth as well. Taking them to a booth makes one guy have to choose who he is going to sit beside and who gets that inside "bitch" seat. It's just not fair.

I know this is trivial stuff to many, but this is the kind of stuff that gets me all jammed-up and can ruin my meal even before I even know what I am going to have that day. I told you earlier in this blog that I am very particular and have some real strange ideas about dining, so don't act like you haven't been warned.

Keep this in mind the next time you go out to eat with our boys and take a look around the restaurant. You can see the people that are probably enjoying their meals more than others.

Eat, drink and be merry!

Harry

Thursday, November 13, 2008

McDonald's McRib Sandwich


Just a quick note for all of you fast food eaters, the McRib is back! I was traveling home tonight and heard the spot on the radio about the return of this sandwich. I don't eat at McDonald's much, but will have to make a trip to try a McRib Sandwich.

The McRib is a classic that comes back just about every year in the fall. It is a processed piece of pork smothered in a tangy barbeque sauce with pickles and oninions. Those who know me are aware that I will be ordering mine without the pickles. (My pickle aversion is something I'll have to share with you at another time.) For me the McRib is a tasty sandwich because of the tender meat, good sauce and the soft bun.

I didn't pay attention enough to the radio spot today to tell you when the McRib offer is over, so get there soon if you are interested.

Eat, drink and be merry!

Harry

Sunday, November 9, 2008

The Brickyard Lounge


The Brickyard Lounge
747 W. International Speedway Blvd.
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
(386)253-2270
www.daytonabrickyard.com

I finally had the opportunity to visit The Brickyard Lounge in Daytona Beach after not having been there in almost a year. I didn't realize how much I missed this place until I received my food. This place is incredible!

The Brickyard Lounge is known for it's burgers. They do a great job with their soups and wings, but mostly everybody goes there for a good, juicy burger. This place is also known for it's friendly owners Renny and Penny who are always ready with a quick welcome and a smile. Renny wasn't there on Saturday, as it is his day off, but Penny was and it was great to catch-up with her. The wait staff is equally friendly, making this one of my most favorite locations in Daytona Beach.

Yesterday, I ordered a bacon cheeseburger with french fries. It also comes with cole slaw and a pickle spear, but I passed on both and just went with the french fries. After sipping on my beer for about 10 minutes and watching the football game, my food arrived promptly and very hot. The burgers at The Brickyard are made of the highest grade of beef and come to you extremely juicy and moist. They have such great flavor and you can see the cook sprinkling your burger and fries with some kind of secret spice while he cooks it. I have never asked what they use as I am sure they would not tell me and I couldn't say that I blame them. My burger was great and the fries were amazing. This place is always consistent, delivering wonderful hot food that is hard to find anywhere else.

I have to tell you that The Brickyard is a joint. It has limited seating and is dark and narrow, but it has some of the best food and friendliest people that you will ever encounter. Parking is a little tight and hard to find on your first time there. You have to go down a small driveway between the restaurant and the Tobacco Exotica shop located next door. Just look for the high, pointed, red roof on the right-hand side as you head towards the beach on International Speedway Boulevard.

If you love a good hamburger and find yourself in Daytona Beach, I strongly urge you to visit The Brickyard Lounge. They have a full bar as well as all of the great food. They are open Monday through Friday 11am - 10pm and on Sundays Noon to 8pm.

Stop by The Brickyard Lounge soon for a burger that will rock your world and tell Renny that I sent you. I have to give The Brickyard Lounge five Stiffey's for my last visit.

Eat, drink and be merry!

Harry

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Famous Philly's


Nova Road and Ridgewood Avenue
Port Orange, FL

Finally, I had the opportunity today to get back to Famous Philly's in Port Orange to write about them in this blog. I have been going to this location for a few years now since I was turned onto it by a co-worker from International Speedway Corporation. To get to Famous Philly's, take Nova Road from Daytona Beach all the way to the end in Port Orange, where it intersects with Ridgewood Avenue. You'll come to the end and find the restaurant directly ahead of you on the other side of the intersection. Please do not judge this place by the looks on the outside. If you do, you will miss one of the best cheesesteak sandwiches I have ever found outside of the great city of Philadelphia itself. I have been to both Pat's and Geno's and have yet to declare one my favorite over the other. With life being so short, why not enjoy the best of everything?

I have been telling my brother, who lives in Orlando, about Famous Philly's since my first visit. I thought I was going to be able to take him last week when he came over, but it just didn't work out. The stars finally aligned today and we were able to go for lunch.

We arrived around 12:30 and there was already a pretty good crowd for a Saturday. I teased my brother about sitting outside when we passed this little table that is clearly used for smokers going outside for a smoke. He wasn't having any of it. We took a seat in the back near all of the wide screen televisions. It should be noted here that Famous Philly's is also a key location in Florida for Philadelphia Eagles fans and after talking to the waitress, she told us it was crazy there during all of the Phillies' World Series games. This place is the real deal.

The cheesesteaks at Famous Philly's are available in 7", 9" and 18" sizes. We both ordered the 9" version and a basket of fries to share. Famous Philly's offers chopped steak and cheese selections of White American, Provolone, Cheez Wiz and Swiss. We both went with White American and mushrooms. As anybody knows, the key to a perfect cheesesteak is the roll. Famous Philly's uses rolls from Amoroso's from Philadelphia. I think Amoroso's also supplies rolls to Pat's and Geno's. These are the best rolls for a cheesesteak.

Our sandwiches showed-up after a very short wait and were hot and tasty. At Famous Philly's, they blend the cheese in with the meat making sure you get a taste of both in every bite. Our waitress was friendly and attentive, coming back to the table a couple of times to see if we needed anything. The french fries were hot and delicious as well. I am going to have to try a steak with Cheez Whiz the next time I am there, but it is always so hard to deviate from what you know is good when you get there as infrequently as I do. With any luck, I'll try to get back within a couple of weeks.

If you find yourself in the Daytona Beach area, I strongly urge you to make a stop by Famous Philly's in Port Orange. My guess is you don't want to go on a Sunday when the Eagles are playing unless you get there good and early. It is surely to be quite crowded as Philly fans are the most loyal of all fans.

I give my visit today to Famous Philly's five Stiffey's!

Eat, drink and be merry!

Harry